LEGAL INSIGHTS

Updates and advice for attorneys and law departments.

Contract Attorney Jobs in New Jersey: A Day in the Life

If you’re an attorney looking for work in New Jersey, contract work may offer a valuable opportunity.  Law firms and legal departments are relying ever more on contract attorneys.  These professionals are hired on a temporary or per-project basis, offering flexibility and the chance to build work experience in new areas without committing to a long-term pursuit of an unfamiliar area of law.

What Do Contract Attorneys Do?

Contract attorneys may take on a number of different roles, depending on their abilities and the organization’s needs.  While contract attorneys are commonly hired to conduct document review and discovery tasks, a contract lawyer may also be asked to take on tasks like:

  • Drafting contracts, settlements, and other legal agreements,
  • Prepare annual reports, employee handbooks, and other corporate documents,
  • Perform legal research on a particular issue or area of law,
  • Offer support for a litigation team,
  • Apply specific skills, like knowledge of a foreign language or a particular expertise in law, while carrying out practical responsibilities,
  • Offer information on another state’s law, if you are a member of the bar in that state.

The types of work contract attorneys do changes, depending on the organization they work for.  Your role in a large corporate legal department, for example, may be very different than the role or roles you may play in a smaller company or with a non-profit.

Salary Data for New Jersey Contract Lawyers

Currently, the average contract attorney in New Jersey makes $62,000 per year for full-time work, according to Indeed.com.  This average salary is slightly higher than the national average.  It has been climbing steadily since the end of 2013.

Although salaries vary depending on the work performed, most fall within the range of $50,000 to $63,000 per year for full-time work.  Those who perform only document review tend to earn salaries in the $50,000 per year range.  Contract attorneys with particular skills, like experience in contracts or patents, may earn more.

Salary data for contract attorneys is based on full-time work.  To find steady work as a contract attorney, consider partnering with a recruiter who specializes in placing attorneys and legal support staff.  Your staffing firm can help you cultivate the long-term relationships needed to find the work you’re looking for.

At Assigned Counsel, our experienced recruiters help match legal talent with law firms and legal departments.  Contact us today.

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